Marshall Health Network recognized for new policy to support breastfeeding patients

Marshall Health Network (MHN) was recognized by the Center for Health Equity, Education, and Research (CHEER) as this week’s CHAMPion of the Week for the system’s policy to support breastfeeding patients during their stay in the hospital.

The new policy allows infants up to one year of age to stay with their breastfeeding mother when she is an inpatient, provided the physician approves and a responsible adult of the mother’s choosing is designated to care for the infant at all times.

“Marshall Health Network recognizes the proven benefits of breastfeeding for both babies and moms,” said Melanie Akers, vice president for women’s and children’s services, MHN, and vice president of operations, CHH. “We identified a gap in how we supported inpatient mothers who wished to breastfeed their infants beyond the immediate postpartum period or outside of our children’s areas. We assembled a multidisciplinary team to review evidence-based guidelines and develop a systemwide policy that effectively supports breastfeeding. 

“This new policy not only encourages breastfeeding but also ensures mothers receive the support they need, even when they are inpatients themselves. We are excited to strengthen our commitment to breastfeeding families across our network.”

CHEER at Boston Medical Center and the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine is a world-class center for maternal-child health advocacy, training and research. Each week, CHEER recognizes a CHAMPion for their work to promote and protect breastfeeding and maternal-child health.

CHEER also recognized Charlotte Dillon, lactation consultant at Marshall Health Network-Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH) and Communities and Hospitals Advancing Maternity Practices (CHAMPS) National lead.

CHAMPS National is a 3-year, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded program to help hospitals increase exclusive breastfeeding rates, improve maternity care and decrease racial disparities. CHH is one of the 100 hospitals across the United States enrolled in the program.

CHH’s Maternity Center hosts a Breastfeeding Support Group on the first Monday of every month. This free online class is open to nursing mothers and taught by a certified lactation consultant, offering techniques for successful breastfeeding. Registration is requested by calling 304.526.BABY. 

Visit www.cabellhuntington.org/services/womens-health/maternity-center/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-support-group to learn more.